The objective of this study was to characterize consistent vs. inconsistent use of child restraints, particularly booster seats, in a sample of children near the time of their transition out of child safety seats. Through direct observation and in-depth interview inconsistent use of child restraints, in an age range of children during which many transitions in restraint practice occur, was identified. While the majority of children in this sample who had undergone a second child restraint transition were reportedly using booster seats, nearly half of the children overall were not consistent users of their reported restraint device. Consistent users were more likely to be younger children (i.e., closer to the transition age) from somewhat smaller families. Of note, income and education level were not associated with consistent use. The identification of a large degree of inconsistent booster seat use highlights the importance of emphasizing the need for appropriate restraint on every trip in future public education programs.
Samenvatting